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Franken to donate salary

U.S. Sen. Al Franken announced that he would be donating the salary he receives while the federal government is shut down to Second Harvest Heartland, a hunger relief organization that works throughout Minnesota.

Franken chose this organization because he said people who rely on the federal government’s safety net programs may need help making ends meet as a result of the shutdown.

“Second Harvest Heartland is a great organization that works throughout Minnesota, providing vital assistance to families who would otherwise go hungry,” said Franken. “Just as I was prepared to do in 2011 when we faced a possible shutdown, I won’t be taking my salary. I believe that while the government is shut down, donating my salary to charity is the right thing to do, and I’m going to make sure that money goes toward helping people who might be badly affected by the shut down.”